Student murder accused gets bail

A MAN accused of killing a fellow student with a lock cutter, allegedly in a fight over a padlock, was granted bail of R2 000 in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Reuben Hlulani Chuma, 23, a second-year animal production student at the Tshwane University of Technology main campus, allegedly killed another student, Mbuso Nyambi, on Thursday.

The State did not oppose his bail application due to his being a student in the middle of writing exams, and also because he did not have a passport or relatives living outside South Africa and, therefore, was not a flight risk.

He had no previous convictions or pending cases and his address had been confirmed.

At the time of his arrest, it was believed Chuma and Nyambi were sharing a room in one of the university’s residences. However, in his affidavit, he said he lived with his uncle in Pretoria West full-time.

His uncle also submitted an affidavit confirming this.

Chuma said in his affidavit that he was writing his final exams and that if he were denied bail, he would not be able to complete his studies.

He also said his family did not have the money to pay for his studies if he had to repeat the year.

Chuma said that if he were denied bail, the trial could take a very long time to be completed, resulting in his not being able to complete his diploma and help provide for his family.

He said his mother was a single parent and unemployed, and lived at Malamulele in Limpopo.

“The State does not have strong evidence against me. I am confident I will be found not guilty in my subsequent trial,” Chuma said in his affidavit.

The magistrate, Lesetja Mphahlele, granted Chuma bail of R2 000 and transferred the case to be heard in the Atteridgeville Regional Court on December 14.